N.J. lawmakers to examine Gov. Christie's plan to slash income taxes

Tony Kurdzuk/The Star-LedgerGov. Chris Christie speaks at a town hall meeting in Vineland last week. Christie's plan to cut income taxes by 10 percent will be scrutinized by the state Senate's Budget Committee this afternoon.

TRENTON — Senate Democrats are preparing to scrutinize Gov. Chris Christie's plan to cut income taxes by 10 percent for all New Jersey residents.

The chamber's Budget Committee will take up the plan for the first time during a public hearing on this afternoon. The panel is scheduled to hear from the Legislature's budget and finance officer, but the state treasurer will not testify.

Christie has not said yet how he will pay for the plan. But he's scheduled to propose a state budget next month.

The governor has said his plan won't be a budget-buster because he's cut spending aggressively. The proposed cut would be phased in over three years.

Democrats say the proposal benefits the wealthy. They say a fairer cut would be to reduce property taxes across-the-board.